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morrisey 20250416-hd-billsigning

Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed Senate Bill 199 into law at Ripley Elementary School in Ripley on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The bill allows teachers to remove disruptive students from their classrooms.

West Virginia elementary school teachers have spent the last few years asking lawmakers for help addressing an uptick in violent and disruptive student behavior that includes punching, kicking and classroom destruction. On Tuesday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey .

ƵWe want our teachers teaching Ƶ not babysitting, not disciplining,Ƶ Morrisey said during a bill signing event at Ripley Elementary School in Ripley, West Virginia.

is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

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